S1Pitts

Your first ski was made of wood and was top of the line.

OMG this is so tempting. Someone please buy it before I end up challenging the stability of my marriage.

Glad you found a solution although it was probably costly. The things you don't know until you live there. Keep us posted for any other surprises.

I found Horton's link was not working for me. This one is https://www.twitch.tv/studiowakepark

Many mfg of power train components have done away with gaskets (I am talking industrial gearboxes in heavy equipment) so I would not be surprised at all if they have gone this route on the tranny. We have use Loctite gasket Eliminator for years now with little issue. This was probably a result of poor prep of the mating surfaces during assembly.

If I have a floating course that is really out of alignment I start by pulling off the bouy arms and anything else on it checking that the mainline diamonds are all ok. I have seen many diamonds lose shape any poly courses are more prone to this. You will fight to align a course if the mainline alone does not float straight.

@ChuckD I don't know what you would call it but I attached a copy of the x ray showing the compressed disc and 14mm missalignment of the vertibrae. I just call it messed up. It was no wonder my core felt so weak regardless of what I did to try and strengthen it. I have hardware, screws and a kitchen sink tossed in for good measure. Surgeon reduced missalignment by approx 50% and then locked it all down. "flares up more frequently and easily these days." To me this says it all. It does not get any easier to recover as we age.

@Jetsetr If it helps with the starts just remember it will likely affect the turns because the ski is now longer behind the boots. At the least move the fin forward till your turns are back where you want them.

I am the same weight as @Jetsetr, double boots and rode a 69 inch Strada during my back rehab days. Pryor to injury I rode and curently ride a 67 but a few tidbits I learned along the way were that riding a bigger ski than "normal" required a different set up to make it all work for me. It was mentioned in earlier posts to get the ski "flat on top of the water" as quickly as possible to make starts easier. In order to make this happen I had to move the bindings all the way forward because at 190# I could not overcome the pressure the wider forebody ski was exerting on me. After that I popped up like I was on a wakeboard. Now to get the beast to turn decently I ran the fin forward almost as far as it could go and tweaked fin depth/length as required. If this holds true for you try move the front binding only ahead one or two holes to see if the starts become easier. If so now play with the setup until you get a good blend of starts and skiability.

@ChuckD I postponed surgery for 15yrs trying to avoid "the knife". I did all the suggested PT, pilates, etc till I got to the point that nothing but surgery was left. For me it was a BIG MISTAKE TO WAIT. Now 6yrs post surgery and continued training my back is a non issue and I ski better than I ever have. Waiting for so long I feel like I gave up a lot of years of great skiing potential.

I installed a PCM impeller for my GT-40 and got 4 seasons of good service. When I removed it there were no cracks, it was still soft and it is now living in my glove box as a spare. I noticed that my boat was running a bit warmer than usual so I had a look and found the PCM replacement I installed last season is looking pretty rough. Same lake, same water, no changes to use of boat, same storage procedure. So now I am thinking the impeller PCM is supplying is possibly not as good as the "older" ones. I had a simular experience when I used a generic replacement impeller. Pulling and inspecting is now going to happen annually.

@Vitali I understand your uncertanty regarding size because the current sizing chart HO has does not include speed / weight ranges for the skis you asked about. What it comes down to is how aggressively you are sking at any particular speed. If you are casual and spend 50% of the time following behind the boat then you will need the larger size. However if you are skiing in reasonably good form on a line15 off or shorter, then you can concider going with the smaller ski. Once again demo not only the model of ski but sizes if possible.

You and I are the same height / weight and I have skied both the 67 inch carbon omni and 67 omega max. Both have a lot of surface area and should work well if your boat can hold steady at a minimum of 32mph. Demo both if you can.

+1 for the comp series (mid stretch). One season on the rope and it still feels new.

@lpskier +1 on the kitchen dwellers - gotta love a banjo player who performs like EVH @AveThere are skiers in Bozeman. I skied there almost 10 yrs ago when I demo'd a ski for sale. Sorry do not recall names, etc

It seems there are so many ways to get the job done. I suppose the best way to go about it is try them all and see what works best for you. I think I fall into the squeeze or freeze camp.

@Horton Soft knees - Do you think this is their way of getting the ski to remain in contact with the water over the wakes? Squeeze - Is it possibly slowing down the edge change somewhat in order to maintain all the components you are trying to keep unified? (even though it all happens rather quickly in real time)

One point we don't seem to touch on is skier retention. This week alone I met enough people who "used to " ski to start a small ski club. " I haven't skied for 20 years"...."I got too old to ski anymore".......who here has not heard these words from someone? I have heard these words uttered from those who are still in their 30's! I always ask them why did you quit? Most common answer is "It was too hard on my body" At age 64 I have 3 ski partners left today that started from a group of about 12 when we were in our teens. Of those that quit the most common comment from them is " I cannot believe you are still skiing." My mission is to get those who quit back on the water so they can get their grandkids involved and maybe rekindle the flame for their children at the same time.

@lundberg I applaud your efforts to bring technology to the waterski arena for the purpose of improving performance. My son is involved in professional sports (hockey) and they have an entire department and outside contractors dedicated to using technology for advancing player performance. It is another tool to bring out the best in athletes. It does take a village so I hope you find people to help you with this.

Sorry I could not help myself

@Drago is recommending a great vendor. To answer your question moe specifically I have seen mostly Sherwood G21 water pumps on the GT40. A complete new pump is rather pricey and a full rebuild kit can save you about 50% if you do the work yourself.

This link is to one of the best priced shops in Canada. Check out what we have to pay for a ML Ergo and it is on SALE! https://www.shuswapsnb.com/Masterline-Ergo-Anti-Roll-13-inch-MLERGO13-100-15987/

I was going to post this on the old thread that I believe was called 'Connection and Swing," but it seems I could not find it. I dont know what happened over the winter. Could have been the new training program, could have been the many times I listened to Spray Makers or watched FPM vids, could have been the hours spent reading every post on BOS, could have been the hours I spent sitting in the easy chair listening to the hockey games on TV with my eyes closed visulizing the perfect line. I have never felt the swing as strong nor skied as wide espesially right from the first ride of the year. Thank you to all of you who take the time to share your knowledge and expertise so we may all have the time of our lives out on the water. Cheers to you all.

I got my first ride in yesterday in 49degF water but thankfully the air temp was low 80's. I was thinking that the moments before the first ride of the season is the closest feeling we ever get to the Very First time we ever skied. Butterfly stomach, nervous antisipation, it all feels a bit strange and then it's all gone the moment the pull from the boat comes. What a great feeling.

@seveetIn case the other suggestions do not solve the issue - You said you changed the thermostat. Is it the correct PCM marine type or a automotive type from an auto parts store? My buddy on his 98 SN changed his thermostat 3 times all with auto type. Overheated by the end of every pass. Put in a new $75 PCM 160 deg and problem solved.